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J. G.- ALBEE.

'ROTARY ENGINE.

Ne.' 566,959. Petented Sept/1, 1896.

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J. CT.l ALBBE. ROTARY ENGINE.

No. 666,959. Patentedeptl, 1896` ATTORNEYS me wonms PETERS co. Praoumo.. WASHING-ron, n. c.

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J. G. ALBEE. ROTARY ENGINE;

No. 566,959. Patented Sept. l, 1896.

wlTNEssl-:s: I I IN NToR 'ATTORNEYe UNITED raras JOHN G. ALBEE, OF FULTON, NEV YORK.

ROTARY ENGINE.

i SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 566,959, dated September 1, 1896.

Application filed July 18, 1895. Serial No. 556,369. (N0 model-l To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that l, JOHN G. ALBEE, of Fulton, inthe county of Oswego, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to improvements in rotary engines, an d has for its object the production of a device .which is simple in construction, particularly effective 'in use, and operates with a minimum degree of friction; and to this end it consists, essentially, in the general construction and arrangement of the component parts of the rotary engine, all as hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In describing this invention reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specication, in which like letters indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a longitudinal vertical section, partly in elevation, of my improved rotary engine. Figs. 2, 3, and et are transverse vertical sections taken, respectively, on lines 2 2, 3 3, and a l4, Fig. l. Fig. 5 is a transverse section of the detached driving-shaft, showin g the disk thereon in elevation. Figs. o, 7, and S are detail vertical sections taken, respectively, on lines 6 G, Fig. 4, 7 7, Fig. 3, and 8 S, Fig. 7. Fig. 9 isa detail section taken on line 9 9, Fig. 3; and Figs. l0 and 11 are isometric views showing, respectively,the pistons and the valves.

A is a supporting-frame of suitable construction provided with opposite bearings d a and a substantially central chamber d2, interposed between said bearings and inclosed by a shell d3, which is formed with a steamoutlet A and a central aperture a4 and is provided with a removable section for permitting the entrance of the operating parts of the rotary engine. Supported by the bearings d d/ are Alixed substantially cylindrical plugs or bearing-pieces B B', one project-ing within thc shell d3 through the aperture afl and the other having its inner end arranged in proximity to the adjacent wall of said shell. The plugs or bearing-pieces B B' are formed of substantially the same diameter as the aperture a4, and their lower portions are provided with eccentrically-arranged journalopenings b ZJ', in which are mounted the opposite ends of a revoluble driving-shaft O, provided with a fixed disk c, arranged within the shell a3 between the adjacent ends of said plugs or bearing-pieces- The outer face of the disk c bears against an inner face d5 of the shell CL3, surrounding the opening d, and is provided with a steam-inlet opening c, which surrounds the shaft O, is formed of less diameter than the aperture c4, and does not extend through said disk. The opposite .or inner face of the disk c is provided with ports c2, and leading from said ports through the disk to the opening c' are radial steampassages c3, which are of suitable size.

A collar c4, surrounding the shaft O, closes the portion of the aperture d4 adjacent to the disk c and is interposed between said disk and a shoulder or nut c5, which is adjustably mounted on the shaft C and is arranged between a Xed shoulder ci on lsaid shaft and the inner face of the plug or bearing-piece B'. The collar c4 is formed with annular grooves c7 cs in its side and outer peripheral faces, a central aperture c9 communicating with the aperture c and radial passages C10-connecting the groove c8 and the aperture c. Suitable packing-rings are mounted in the grooves c7 for engaging the disk c and the shoulder or nut c5 and preventing the escape of steam between said parts. The groove cs communicat-es with a steam-inlet chamber a, opening into the aperture a4 and provided with a steam-inlet pipe CLT, and said groove e8, the passages cw, and the aperture c9 conduct the steam to the inlet-openin g c, whence it passes through the passages cs to the ports c2.

The cylinder D for the rotary engine is arranged within the shell ai, betweenthe disk o and the walls of the shell ai adjacent to the bearing a, and said cylinder encircles. the inner projecting end of the plug or bearing piece B, which forms a stationary eccentric for reciprocating the pistons in the cylinder, as presently described. The cylinder D is rotary and is inclosed by circular inner and outer walls d d and substantially parallel side walls d2 d, which are also preferably formed circular. The inner and outer walls d d, as best seen at Fig. 3, are arranged eccentric to each other and move independently, the inner wall being positively driven, as presently described, and the outer wall being suitably secured to a support d4, provided with IOO a hub d5, which is loosely mounted on the inner projecting end of the plug or bearingpiece B and is free to revolve thereon. The side wall (Z2 is interposed between the support (Z4 and walls (Z d' and is fixed to the inner wall d by suitable fastening means d, (shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1,) and the opposite side wall d3 is interposed between the disk c and the walls d c?, and is secured to said disk by fastening means di, which also engages the wall d. Although the outer wall d' is not positively driven, the pistons, presently described, frictionally engage its inner face and effect its revolution, and the side walls da cl3 also tend to effect the revolution of said outer wall, since the outer edges of their adjacent faces lap upon the adjacent edges of said outer wall a su ficient distance to preventescape of the steam. It will be understood, however, that there is a slight rubbing movement between the adjacent surfaces of the outer and side walls d d2 cl3 as the cylinder revolves, since the outer wall revolves around an axis arranged eccentric to the axis of the shaft C.

E E E2 E3 are pistons arranged at substantially right angles with each other, Fig. 3,

. and movable through guides in the .inner cylinder-wall CZ' into the cylinder D. The outer ends of said pistons engage the inner face of the outer cylinder-wall d', and the cylinder D is thus divided into a series of chambers each of which is provided with a port d8, formed in the side wall d3 and arranged adjacent to one of the ports c2. The opposite pistons E E E2 E3 are fixed to opposite sides of frames e c', formed of substantially half the width of the pistons and lapped one upon the other between the cylinder-walls d2 cl3. The frames c c' are provided with substantially central perforations e2, which are formed with opposite substantially parallel engaging faces and receive an eccentric strap or ring e3,

formed with angularly-arranged flat engaging faces and encircling the hub d5, as best seen at Figs. l and 3. The pistons E E E2 E3 are positively revolved with the inner and side walls CZ Z2 d3 of the cylinder D, and as their outer ends engage the wall d they eileci revoluble movement of said wall, as previously stated, and the friction incidental to their revolution is thus reduced to a minimum degree. As the pistons E E E2 E'r3 revolve they reciprocate in the cylinder D, althouglrtheir outer ends do not become disengaged from the inner face of the outer cylindrical wall d', and, in order that an efficient contact between the adjacent surfaces of said pistons and the outer cylinder-wall may be insured, the outer ends of the pistons are provided with movable en gagin g-pieces c4, forced outwardly by suitable springs e5, Fig. 9.

F F F2 F3 are valves for regulating the passage Of the steam to and from the separate chambers of the cylinder D formed by the pistons E E E2 E3, and, as best seen at Fig. 4, these valves are preferably arranged at substantially right angles with each other. Opposite pairs of the valves F F/ F2 F3 are iixed to frames ff@ provided with perforations f2, and said valves are reciprocall y movable in guides (Z9, formed in the side wall (Z3 and extending through the periphery thereof, although it is obvious that these guides may be formed in the adjacent face of the disk c.

The frames f f are lapped upon each other and the portions thereof immediately contiguous to the valves F F I12 F3 are formed of substantially half the width of said valves in order that they may be movable side by side in the guides d?.

The perforations f2 of the frames ff are formed with substantially parallel engaging faces, and a suitable stationary eccentric G is arranged in said perforations and is encircled by a strap g, having angularly-arran ged faces engaged with the corresponding faces of the frames ff for reciprocating the revolving valves.

The valves F F F2 F3 are formed with perforations f3, and during the revoluble and reciprocal movement of the valves said perforations are first alined with the ports c2 (ZS for permitting the entran ce of steam into the adjacent chambers of the cylinder D, and the outer edges of said valves are then substantially alined with the inner edges of the ports d8 for permitting the escape of the steam from said chambers through the guides d to the chamber CL2, whence it passes through the outlet A. It is often desirable to adjust the throw of the valves F F F2 F3, and colisequently the eccentric G is provided with a curved slot g for receiving the shaft C and is secured to one end of a rocking support or rod g2, passed through the bearing-piece B and having its opposite end provided with a handpiece g3. l

The operation of my invention will be readily understood upon rcference to the forego- IOO IIO

ing description and the accompanying drawings, and it will be apparent that owing to. the peculiar construction and arrangement of its cylinder, pistons, and valves the friction incidental to its operation is reduced to a minimum degree. The exact detail construction and arrangement of the parts of my rotary engine may be considerably varied without departing from the spirit of my invention, and consequently I do not herein specifically limit myself to such exact detail construction and arrangement.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a rotary engine, the combination of a rotary cylinder having inner and outer walls independently revoluble, a support for one of said walls revoluble around an axis arranged eccentric to the axis for the other wall, rotary pistons reciprocally movable in the cylinder, and rotary valves carried by the cylinder for admitting steam thereto, substantially as described.

I'IS

2. In a rotary engine, the combination ofa rotary cylinder having inner and outer Walls independently revoluble, opposite side Walls fixed to the inner Wall and lapping upon the outer Wall, and rotary pistons reciprocally movable in the cylinder, substantially as specified.

3. In a rotary engine, the combination of a rotary cylinder having inner and outer Walls independently revoluble, opposite side Walls fixed to the inner Wall'and lapping upon the outer wall, rotary pistons reciprocally movable in the cylinder, and valves carried by one of said side Walls and revoluble there- With for admitting steam to the cylinder, substantially as set forth.

4. In a rotary engine, the combination of a rotary cylinder having inner and outer Walls independently revoluble, opposite side Walls xed to the inner Wall and lapping upon the outer Vall, a support for the outer Wall arranged at the outer side of one of the side Walls, and revoluble around an axis arranged eccentric to the axis for said inner and side Walls, and rotary pistons reciprocally movable in the cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In a rotary engine, the combination of a rotary cylinder having inner and outer Walls independently revoluble, opposite side Walls fixed to the inner Wall and lapping upon the outer Wall, a shaft for revolving the inner and opposite side Walls, a stationary bearing-piece having an eccentricallyarranged journalbearing for receiving the shaft, a support for the outer Wall arranged at the outer side of one of the side Walls and revoluble on the bearing-piece, and rotary pistons reciprocally movable in the cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder, a piston movable in the cylinder and provided With a perforated frame fixed thereto, and an eccentric arranged in the perforation of the frame for actuating the piston, substantially as described.

7. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder, a rotary piston reciprocally movable in the cylinder and provided with a frame fixed thereto and formed with a perforation having substantially parallel engaging faces, a stationary eccentric for actuating the piston, and an eccentric-strap encircling the eccentric and provided with opposite fiat faces for engaging the former faces, substantially as specified.

8. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder, a pair of pistons reciprocally movable in the cylinder in planes disposed at substantially right angles with each other and provided with perforated frames iixed thereto and lapping upon each other, and an eccentric arranged in the perforations of the frames for actuating the pistons, substantially as described.

9. In a rotary engine, the combination of a rotary cylinder having inner and outer Walls independently revoluble, a support for one of said Walls revoluble around an axis arranged eccentric tothe axis for the other Wall, rotary pistons reciprocally movable in the cylinder, and a stationary eccentric for actuating the pistons, substantially as specified.

l0. In a rotary engine, the combination of a rotary cylinder provided With eccentricallyarranged inner and outer Walls, rotary pistons reciprocally movable through the inner wall into the cylinder, a stationary eccentric for actuating the pistons and valves carried by the cylinder and movable therewith for admittin g steam to the cylinder, substantially as described.

1l. In a rotary engine, the combination of a rotary cylinder provided with eccentricallyarranged inner and outer Walls, perforated frames arranged at substantially right angles with each other and having their perforations alined, and each provided with substantially parallel engaging faces, pistons projecting from opposite sides of each perforated frame, a stationary eccentric arranged Within the perforations of said frames for actuating the pistons, and an eccentric-strap encircling the eccentric and provided with augularly-arranged faces for engaging the former faces, substantially as specified.

12. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with independently-revoluble outer and inner Walls and arotary side Wall having a steam-port and a valve carried by the Wall and revoluble therewith for governing the passage of the steam through said port, substantially as specified.

13. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with independently-revoluble outer and inner Walls and a side Wall having steam-ports, a rotary shaft having a disk fixed thereon and provided with steampassages and reciprocally movable oppositely-arranged valves supported by the disk and rigidly connected together for governing IOO IIO

the passage of the steam through said ports and passages, substantially as described.

14. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with independently-revoluble outer and inner Walls and a side Wall having steam-ports, a rotary shaft having a disk xed thereon and provided with steampassages, reciprocally-movable valves supported by the disk for governing the passage of the steam through said ports and passages, a perforated frame fixed to the valves and a stationary eccentric arranged Within the perforation of the frame for reciprocating the valves, substantiallyas set forth.

l5. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with a steam-port, a supporting-frame formed With a cylindrical aperture and a steam-inlet chamber opening into the aperture, a shaft journaled in the frame and passed through said aperture, a disk projecting from the shaft and having a steam-port and a passage leading thereto, a collar encircling the shaft and provided with IZO a steam passage for connecting the inletchamber and the passage ol said disk, and a movable valve carried by the disk for controlling the passage of steam through the ports of the cylinder and disk, substantially as described.

1G. In a rotary engine, the combination ol a supporting-frame provided with an inclosing shell having a steam-outlet, a cylindrical aperture, and a steam-inlet chamber opening into the aperture, a rotary cylinder arranged Within the inclosing shell and provided with steam-ports, rotary pistons reciprocally movable in the cylinder, a stationary eccentric supported by the frame for actuating the pistous, a shaft supported bythe frame and having one end passed through the eccentric and its opposite en d through said aperture, a disk fixed to the shaft and arranged Within the inclosing shell and provided with steam ports and passages leading thereto, a collar encircling the shaft and provided with a steampassage for connecting the steain-inletchamber and the passages of said disk, and movable valves carried by the disk for controlling the passage of steam through the ports of the cylinder and disk, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

17. In a rotary engine, the combination of a frame provided with a bearing, a stationary bearing-piece mounted in said bearing, a cylinder having inner and outer Walls independently revoluble around the bearing-piece, and a shaft eccentrically j ournaled in the bearingpiece and connected to the inner Wall of the cylinder i'or revolving the same, substantially as described.

1S. In a rotary engine, the combination of a frame provided with a bearing, a stationary bearing-piece mounted in said bearing, a support loosely revoluble around the bearingpiece, an outer cylinder-Wall secured to said support, a shaft eccentrically journaled in the bearing-piece, and inner and opposite side cylinder-Walls secured to said shaft, said side walls being lapped upon the adjacent edges of the outer cylinder-Wall, substantially as specified.

19. In a rotary engine, the combination oi' a frame provided with a bearing, a stationary bearing-piece mounted in said bearing, a support provided with a projecting hub loosely revoluble around the bearing-piece, an outer cylinder-Wall secured to said support, a shaft eccentrically journaled in the bearing-piece, inner and opposite side cylinder-Walls secured to said shaft, said side ivalls being lapped upon the adjacent edges of the outer cylinder- Wall, pistons reciprocally movable through the inner cylinder-Wall, and an eccentricstrap surrounding the hub of said support for actuating the pistons, substantially as and for the purpose described.

20. In a rotary engine, the combination of a frame provided with a bearing, a stationary bearing-piece mounted in said bearing, a cylinder revoluble around the bearing-piece and provided with steam-ports, a shaft eccentrically journaled in the bearing-piece and connected to the cylinder for revolving the same, and reciprocating valves carried bythe shaft for governingthe passage of the steam through the ports, substantially as set forth.

2l. In a rotary engine, the combination of a frame provided With a bcarin g, a stationary bearing-piece mounted in said bearing, a cylinder revoluble around the bearing-piece and provided with steam-ports, a shaft eccentrically journaled. in the bearing-piece and connccted to the cylinder Yfor revolving the same, reciprocating valves carried by the shaft for governing the passage of the steam through the ports, a stationary eccentric for actuating the valves provided with a slot for receiving the shaft, and a rocking support passed through said bearing-piece and having one end secured to the eccentric and its opposite end provided with a hand piece, substantially as described.

22. Ina rotary engine, the combination of a frame provided with a bearing and an inelosing shell arranged at one side of the bearing and formed ivith an aperture extending therethrough, and a steam-inlet chamber opening into the aperture, a stationary bearing-piece mounted in said bearing and projecting Within the inclosing shell, a cylinder' within said shell revoluble around the bearing-piece and having its side Wall adjacent to the free end oi. the bearing-piece provided with steamports and guides communicating therewith and opening into the chamberinclosed by said shell, a shaft journaled in the bearing-piece and connected to the cylinder for revolving the same, a disk provided on the shaft adj acent to the free end of the bearing-piece and formed with ports in its inner face arranged in proximity to the former ports, a steam-inlet opening in its outer face of less depth than the thickness of the disk, and passages connecting the latter ports and the inlet-opening, a collar arranged in the portion of the aperture in the inclosing shell at the outside oi' the disk, formed of substantially the same diameter as said aperture, and provided with an an n nlar groove in its peripheral face alined with the steam-inlet chamber, a central aperture communicating With the inlet-opening of the disk, and passages connecting saidannular groove and central aperture, and a shoulder on the shaft engaged with said collar, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name, in the presence of tivo attesting Witnesses, at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the Sta-te of New York, this 6th day of June, 1805.

JOHN G. ALBEE.

Xllitiiesses:

E. A. VEIsBURe-, H. E. CHACE.

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